n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: cut ; cut · ting
Etymology: Middle English cutten
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument b : to hurt the feelings of c : to strike sharply with a cutting effect d : to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts a reverse spin e : to experience the growth of (a tooth) through the gum
2 a : TRIM , PARE < cut one's nails> b : to shorten by omissions < cut the manuscript> c : DILUTE , ADULTERATE < cut the whiskey with water> d : to reduce in amount < cut costs>
3 a : MOW , REAP < cut hay> b (1) : to divide into parts with an edged tool < cut bread> (2) : FELL , HEW c (1) : to separate or discharge from an organization < cut them from the team> (2) : to single out and isolate < cut a calf out from the herd> d : to turn (as a steering wheel) sharply <the driver cut the wheel hard> e : to go or pass around or about : BYPASS < cut the checkout line>
4 a : to divide into segments < cut the cake> b : INTERSECT , CROSS <one line cutting another> c : BREAK , INTERRUPT < cut our supply lines> d (1) : to divide (a deck of cards) into two portions (2) : to draw (a card) from the deck e : to divide into shares : SPLIT f : ANALYZE , BREAK DOWN <any way you cut it, we won>
5 a : to make by or as if by cutting: as (1) : CARVE < cut stone> (2) : to shape by grinding < cut a diamond> (3) : ENGRAVE (4) : to shear or hollow out < cut a groove> b (1) : to sing, play, or act for the recording of < cut an album> < cut a commercial> (2) : to sing or play (as a song or a track) for a studio recording c : to type on a stencil d : EDIT 1B < cut a motion picture>
6 a : STOP , CEASE < cut the nonsense> b : to refuse to recognize (an acquaintance) <they cut her dead at the party> c : to absent oneself from (as a class) d : to stop (a motor) by opening a switch e : to stop the filming of (a motion-picture scene)
7 a : to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous action) <on summer nights strange capers are cut under the thin guise of a Christian festival ― D. C. Peattie> b : to give the appearance or impression of < cut a fine figure>
8 : to be able to manage or handle ― usually used in negative constructions <can't cut that kind of work anymore>
9 a : to yield or accord to another : GIVE < cut me some slack> b : to fill out and sign (a check)
intransitive verb
1 a : to function as or as if as an edged tool b : to undergo incision or severance <cheese cut s easily> c : to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, or intersecting d : to make a stroke with a whip, sword, or other weapon e : to wound feelings or sensibilities f : to cause constriction or chafing g : to be of effect, influence, or significance <an analysis that cut s deep>
2 a (1) : to divide a pack of cards especially in order to decide the deal or settle a bet (2) : to draw a card from the pack b : to divide spoils : SPLIT
3 a : to proceed obliquely from a straight course < cut across the yard> b : to move swiftly <a yacht cutting through the water> c : to describe an oblique or diagonal line d : to change sharply in direction : SWERVE e : to make an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television f : to make a sudden transition or imaginative leap <the story cut s to 1917>
4 : to stop photographing motion pictures
5 : to advance by skipping or bypassing another < cut to the front of the line>
– cut a deal : to negotiate an agreement
– cut both ways : to have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications
– cut corners : to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way
– cut ice : to be of importance ― usually used in negative constructions <his opinion cuts no ice with me>
– cut it : to cut the mustard
– cut loose
1 : to free from control or restraint < cut us loose from the contract>
2 : to act without restraint <enjoyed cutting loose at nightclubs>
– cut one's teeth : to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career <an actress who cut her teeth on television>
– cut the mustard : to achieve the standard of performance necessary for success
– cut to the chase : to get to the point